Captain Shanto hits majestic ton to extend lead to 205 against NZ

|| CF DESK ||

Najmul Hossain Shanto becomes the first Bangladeshi player to score a century on his captaincy debut as Bangladesh took a 205-run lead against New Zealand after day three in the first Test in Sylhet Thursday.

On the third day of the Test match against New Zealand, Bangladesh asserted their dominance by reaching 212-3 at stumps.

The standout performer of the day was Shanto, who remained unbeaten on 104, showcasing his prowess.

Former captain Mushfiqur Rahim played a crucial role, contributing an unbeaten 43 and partnering with Shanto in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand, amassing 96 runs.

This partnership proved instrumental in steering Bangladesh away from a precarious position of 26-2, following New Zealand's first-innings total of 317.

Shanto, known for his consistency, had previously scored a century in both innings against Afghanistan in June.

His century, the fourth in Tests, was completed with a single off Ajaz Patel in 191 balls, culminating the day with a stylish boundary off the last ball.

The 25-year-old left-hander exhibited resilience despite being involved in two runouts during the day, with the last one being Mominul Islam, who contributed 40 valuable runs.

The partnership between Shanto and Mominul, worth 90 runs for the third wicket, played a key role in Bangladesh's recovery.

Ajaz Patel was the standout bowler for New Zealand on the day, accounting for the dismissal of opener Zakir Hasan (17) by trapping him leg-before.

Tim Southee's accurate throw at the non-striking end ran out Mahmudul Hasan for eight, showcasing New Zealand's fielding prowess.

Mominul, not only a key batter but also a handy bowler, shone with the ball by taking the last two New Zealand wickets in the morning session.

The visitors, replying to Bangladesh's first-innings total of 310, resumed at 266-8. Southee and Kyle Jamieson frustrated the Bangladeshi bowlers with a resilient 52-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

However, Mominul's brilliance came to the fore as he dismissed both batsmen in the same over, ending with career-best figures of 3-4.